Barbara

you're brilliant, mate. That's all

didn't get me again, hahahahahahaha I meant it's nor worth for us to keep discussing what I thought was happening and if it's a good or bad thing. Now I'll check the yt vids later - when I'll be in bed because I have quite the annoying mouth surgery in a couple of hours. Going to have to feed off ice cream for a few days, only liquid and definitely not everything warm, let alone hot. So I'm going to get ready - by eating everything solid and hot I can now, but I'll check it later. I just meant my opinion on the subject doesn't matter, and that we shouldn't discuss it, but the subject itself, sure, why not? I'm curious to learn how the world today is less violent than it has ever been. That's surprising!

Vacation time with family = tons of pics next week is vacation with my mother, my bf and his family in Brazil's south! I hope it's very cold will post pics then too

Taking piano classes I wish I could play the sax though, but my breath is quite short for that

And get better soon, sweetie! Flus suck Stingray as I said, tone and purpose get lost easily on written communication. You didn't understand me at all. Not worth digging the subject though. K and I already understood each other - actually, I understood his point as I had misunderstood him at first.

If it's a way for you to vent, great, but it sounded more like someone laughing (given the laugh) on someone else for being shocked by something as little as people killing a dog for sport and asking them to have a reality check by going to live in a conflicted area. My bad then - it must be the greatness of written communication where the tone and the purpose get lost easily. I felt like he was being given a reality check of what he should call violence and cruelty. Guess I was wrong At least now a 17yo is convinced the world is a sick place, so mission accomplished?

^^ Thanks for that, Jay. I really like this from Kevin: 'If you see a couple of goals that we scored it's really that... you see what we practiced at training comes back during the game." Mourinho is known to practice a lot of drills by zones and by a combo of two different positions. So he practices drills between wingers and full backs; between CB and DM; between DM and the rest of the midfield; between AM and strikers; between FB (attacking) and strikers. There are chemistry drills, but there are also what we called in Portuguese (don't know the name in English) 'rehearsed [or practiced] play' which the squad practices a lot to try to see it happen also in the match, but their movement and actions are decided by the manager (it's not about becoming familiar with each other, but executing what the manager decided should be the play). So for example when a winger or a FB crosses the ball in the box, the striker or the other AM know where to position themselves because that's how they practiced. Or when during a corner or a free kick the one taking it puts in a place where one of the other guys should be, or passes it to a player that will assist a third one. Or during the attack where to position himself compared to the opposition defence and where to move the moment of the pass, etc... We can see that clearly during last match. After Torres tripped on the ball, he infiltrates in the box (you even have this shot in the vid above). André positions himself behind Torres waiting for the pass, it's funny because you see him taking a mid-step ahead, but then he sort of retreats that one half step... it's like he wanted to move forward, but then decided to stay there (although that could also be a case of what in sports training it's called imminence [which is one of the rules to improve pace and reach through pro-activeness and brain training because you're preparing your body to sprint instead of reacting and surprising your muscles and brain, so you're just ready to sprint - or jump, or whatever - and those milliseconds actually improve your speed or depending on the situation your timing to meet whatever you have to meet]). If you look a bit to the side Mata is doing sort of the same movement. One may say it's a coincidence or just the natural thing to a football player to do, but then we see André moving forward to position himself to either do a 2-1 or to expect a stray ball from a potential rebound from the goalkeeper. This is all trained on practices. Those guys spend about 20 minutes (according to Mourinho and Faria, as of course, I've never watched a training session led by Mourinho, but I've read and watched plenty about their training routines) practicing that kind of thing. Then the chemistry is the part where they naturally move to certain positions and they got used to each other's movement and the 'rehearsed plays' are the ones where Mourinho defines where they should move to if that situation presents to them. We see Mourinho celebrating the 4th goal against Indonesia (the one Bertrand takes the free kick). Cahill who is behind the penalty mark assists Terry with a header. Why would Mourinho celebrate a goal (showing a #1 on his hand btw) - the fourth nonetheless - against such a weak side? Because it's yet another play they practiced and could convert into goals in a match. Mourinho said in one of his interviews (I guess already in the US) that they had scored goals they practiced... and now Kevin is repeating it. It's important to practice those things, not only the free ones where the players just get familiar with each other's movement, but also the ones the manager set up for them and decide where they should position. Those small details are crucial because sometimes they win us the match, it's one more thing to add to our game and I really am happy when I hear that they're scoring from plays they practiced. That's the way to go, and that's one of the things that make Mourinho The Special One.

am I the only to think he didn't say it in a bad way? I've watched the interview - don't know if you had read or watched - and it was so clear he meant to clarify which Ronaldo he was talking about instead of jabbing Cris. Sometimes I feel like the press twist words and take things out of proportion. So when he says the real one I see it as a simple clarification about which Ronaldo he was talking. now let's supposed his intention was ill... is the name (or word) Ronaldo some sort of special thing? Let's suppose he did really meant to say the brazilian Ronaldo is the real Ronaldo? How does that even make sense and supposing it does, what does one being the real Ronaldo add to their career or reputation? Yeah, exactly, nothing. So he wasn't belittling Cris or exalting Ronaldo, he was just clarifying which Ronaldo he meant. As if being a real Ronaldo or a wanna-be-Ronaldo makes any difference... also Ronaldo's name is Ronaldo, whereas Ronaldo is only Cris' middle name, so someone could even look at it this way, that the real Ronaldo is the one named Ronaldo, not the one with the middle name Ronaldo - but even that is stretching it imo... he just want to put them apart.

1) I didn't say you said it was okay. What I meant is that maybe the drunk guys set the poor man on fire because they think it's not like we're eating his heart or chopping him alive as people do it wherever else. that's what I meant. The criminals do minor cruelties because they think they aren't as bad as some others. It's the thinking that is wrong and as the cruelty is reaching new levels what many considered the cruelest a few decades ago now could be overlooked by many. I feel like people think it's okay to kill someone because they thought they were cheating or because they're homeless and poor. At the end of the day lives were taken - without a right - the reason doesn't matter. 2) I know it's a figure of speech, but we both know you implied that if people lived/visited Syria they would change their concept about violence/cruelty. Which they probably would, but my point is terrible things happen everywhere and I for one think that a guy armed to the bones entering a pre-school and killing dozens of children is much worse than anything you can tell me that happened in your country... anything (unless it's a guy armed entering a school and killing kids), but I would never tell you to have a reality check about it because it's still very cruel and shows how the human race is degenerated. 3) I think the bold part is wrong in so many levels, that yeah... we better never speak about this again. I know things are terrible in Syria (and many other countries) and maybe we look spoiled, pathetic, naive, stupid for feeling bad about a dog (I'm not saying you're implying he is any of those things though). To someone that had seen/lived/been subjected to much worse maybe killing a dog for sport or setting a man on fire for the same reason wouldn't shock them (again not saying that's your case) because their skin became much thicker... just try to understand that for someone else it's shocking and they don't need to learn about worse things - actually they shouldn't learn about worse things, nobody should nobody should have a new perspective about violence as you suggested, not you, not him, not me. My whole point is just that the boy has a right to feel terrible about human kind because of a dog - and use a figure of speech to say so - without someone giving him shit for that. He came here to vent because at that moment he felt like shit, instead he's lectured and belittled. I understand where you coming from, it's just nice to try to understand where he's coming from as well. I feel bad for him after reading the posts I saw here... that's why I posted, not to decide what's worse and what's not, but to say it's okay for him to feel bad about something "so small".

one things doesn't make the other not valid though. There are all kinds of cruelty in the world - not only modern world but since like... forever. I really dislike the argument that just because it's an animal, a dog and not a starving baby in Africa or a war victim we should overlook 'minor' cruelties. Actually I believe that's how things escalated. By people thinking whatever isn't as cruel or bad as this other thing and they just kept going and by having someone else doing something much worse, they think it's okay to do the 'less bad'. To use the same expression, bitch please... I don't need - or want - to live in Syria or do I need to watch children starving to death to know what cruelty or violence is. I just saw on my cousin's house - something I wouldn't have seen on mine as I don't watch television - that a woman took a pregnant woman to a public hospital, got her baby delivered and then somehow she got the woman and the baby out of the hospital, killed the mother (strangled) and took the baby away. A couple of years ago a woman married to a business guy suspected he cheated on her (or something) and killed him, literally ripped him in small pieces and got rid of the pieces by filling suitcases. Or how last week some rich boys set a homeless guy that was sleeping on the street on fire! That happened here in Brazil, so I don't need to go to Africa, Asia, Middle East to know what cruelty and violence is, neither does it have to be directed to humans alone. So yeah, I totally get his point and I can be shocked by that without having someone lecturing me that I don't know what cruelty or violence is.

Of course I'm serious. I can name all players that played for us this decade* if you want me to. It may take a while though I know this one I mentioned in my post is a RM fan. Or at least his family is because he mentioned his family has season tickets to the Bernabeu *actually what I meant is since 2000 Thanks, Lex. You did an amazing job, as usual. I'll learn to write with your reviews

posted. @CHOULO19, @, @ make sure to review the English before you post it Thanks!

Chelsea will play Real Madrid in the International Champions final this Wednesday. It’s a rare event when Chelsea face the Spanish force from Madrid - in official matches, it has only happened three times! Tomorrow the two giants will play each other again, and even if it’s only a friendly it might be more than usual the pre-season game. The match is going to be played in ungodly hours in Europe – 2am UK time (9pm local time) – but still many fans will probably lose part of their sleep during a weekday to see the clash between José Mourinho against his former team – the same being true to Carlo Ancelotti against Chelsea. Yet whilst Ancelotti left Chelsea over two years ago, the Portuguese has only just left the Spanish side and his exit was surrounded by locker room issues, media wars and mixed feelings between Real Madrid fans. It’s fair to say nobody knows this Real Madrid squad better than the Blues manager. Except for the new signings arriving this summer, Mourinho has worked with that squad for the past three seasons. The Special One said he’ll keep the strategy used so far in Chelsea’s pre-season which means he’ll use a different team for each half of the match. So fans expecting to see Chelsea on full throttle may have to wait until the last pre-season match – against Roma next Saturday – or even the Premier League debut against Hull City on August 18. The Opposition Chelsea have done well against Spanish teams in official matches (W15, D11, L9). As aforementioned, Real Madrid have been managed by José Mourinho for the last three seasons, giving the Portuguese an advantage. But Carlo Ancelotti has already been changing the philosophy and style left by the Portuguese, and even though Mourinho knows most of the players, they may present something different to Chelsea. Ancelotti is invested in recovering Kaká – who was mostly overlooked by José – and has used the Brazilian in both matches for the International Champions Cup. Madrid have hardly operated under the radar this summer; bringing in players such as attacking midfielder Isco, defender Daniel Carbajal and defensive midfielder Asier Illarramendi. Isco has done remarkably well in previous matches - in particular against LA Galaxy - but against Premier League opposition in Everton (whom Madrid faced earlier on in the competition), he hardly set the world alight. Ancelotti’s team is more focused on ball retention and possession than Mourinho's counter-attacking ploy, yet with di María’s speed, Özil’s and Isco’s assists and Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals, they will no doubt prove lethal should they break at any opposition. It’s going to be a good test for Chelsea’s defence, but Real Madrid should feel the same way about Blues’ attacking force with Kevin de Bruyne, Mata, Hazard, Moses, Oscar, Schürrle, Lukaku, Ba and Torres. The Teams Chelsea Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Henrique HilárioDefenders: Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, John Terry, César Azpilicueta, Ryan BertrandMidfielders: Michael Essien, Ramires, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Oscar, John Obi Mikel, Kevin De Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel, Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, André SchürrleStrikers: Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Demba BaManager: José MourinhoExpected formation: 4-2-3-1Real Madrid Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Diego Lopez, Jesús ColladoDefenders: Pepe, Sergio Ramos, David Mateos, Marcelo, Fábio Coentrão, Álvaro Arbeloa, Daniel Carbajal, Nacho FernándezMidfielders: Luka Modric, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil, Isco, Kaká, Casemiro, Ángel di María, AlexStrikers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Álvaro Morata, Jesé Rodríguez, Denis CheryshevExpected formation: 4-2-3-1Facts and Stats Chelsea leads the head to head with two wins and a draw.Every time the teams faced each other there was a trophy at stake - with Chelsea grabbing it in the first two occasions (UEFA Super Cup 1997/98; UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1970/71).Both managers have already trained the opposition previously, both winning the national league once.Real Madrid ended second to Barcelona in La Liga last season and reached the last four of the Champions League - whilst Chelsea won the Europa League and finished third in the league behind the Manchester clubs. All matches played between the teams were tight with one goal advantage (1-0 or 2-1), as well as a goalless draw.Last time the teams faced each other Chelsea won 1-0, in 1998.Odds Madrid: Evens Chelsea: 21/10 Draw: 5/2 TV Coverage The game will be Chelsea TV in England, Fox Sport in the US and Al Jazeera in the Middle East. There will be a match feed provided by TalkChelsea's official twitter account.

no, no This part I get, hehehehe What I said as far as I'm concerned is that first I used the wrong expression it seems second I meant that if I understand the concept right, every time a team win evens, is because tons of people are betting on that team to win, right?

so as far as I'm concerned people who's betting is betting more on Madrid winning as it evens? I'll say it's only Chelsea TV then. I'm trying to do it before I leave, although I do believe 24h before the match is the ideal timing to post because then people are really already into the match's mood, if we post earlier I feel like it's overlooked...

I really appreciate, sweetie because to be honest I don't understand bullocks about odds. I have no idea what 21/10 means (I guess for each 10 bucks you bet, they pay you 21?) so I wouldn't mind if one of you guys provide me the bold part for every pre-match I do. I'll try to find the British TV coverage when I get back

Dude I'm as a hardcore Madrid fan as it gets Send me over your questions there's this member, @IkE, if I'm not wrong, who's also a Madrid fan (who lives in Madrid) who is quite active in our forums, so you might be able to reach him too. Do you know who I mean? Also, I'll probably post the pre-match tonight - my time about 24h before the match. I was going to do it now, but I'll have to leave now and I'll spend the whole afternoon. I may write it earlier Nour Can you PM me the odds and if you have the TV coverage thing? Thanks love And I'll also write the match report if nobody does. Everything related to Madrid you guys can always count on me

In one of my first posts in the thread I pasted part of his interview where Mourinho says he'll play different teams on first and second half. It makes me excited - not horny. It's just people thinks sex is the only thing that would make a girl distracted during football. Such a sexist opinion Sex during movies, footie, whatever is overrated. if I go to the movies, I want to watch the movie, if I'm watching football, I want to watch football. Let the score to the strikers... or in our case to whoever is merciful enough in our squad to nestle the ball in the net. I'm from the country where people breathe football, as shown in my profile. But you can find guys who don't like football even in Brazil. My boyfriend doesn't like sports in general. Poor thing will die someday without having truly lived This team exposes us in so many ways that is not even funny. Mikel is heck slow, di María will eat him for breakfast... or maybe Cris will too, if plays centered. Mata also doesn't mark anyone, doesn't tackle, doesn't defend at all and it's also very slow... so if Isco, di María or someone else intercepts the ball, we're screwed which is why I think this is the kind of game where Oscar should start, and then as this is a friendly, I don't really care if it's in Mata or Kevin's place. We need to play a faster DM so I think Ramires + van Ginkel is a must because Lamps if he plays, is coming from injury, Essien is slower and Mikel is definitely slower than slowness. One could argue that if we use both Rami and MvG together then we expose ourselves in the second. I don't think so because I don't think Cris and di Maria will play both halves. Also one out of Marco and Rami has been playing about 60 minutes every match. I'd say keep Rami as the guy's breath is endless! He could run through three consecutive matches before he stopped to sip some water

I'd use Moses in the second half and bring Oscar to the first (to add to the defending and also because Moses is quick and he might 1) face tired players in the second if Carlo doesn't change the defence; 2) might face bench warmers I'd also start Torres instead of Lukaku but for the love of God, I wouldn't start Ba. I agree about everything else.

I shared in the match thread how my mother almost killed me and my brother from laughing during last night's match. We were both watching Chelsea in his bedroom while she kept company to my boyfriend (who was waiting the match end) and they were talking about whatever because dude doesn't even know what Champions League is (true story). My brother and I started discussing whatever about English football and she turned her interest from Diego to ask this: 'Do Arsenal still exist?' My brother and I exchanged a quick glance before bursting out laughing. We couldn't stop and she was sort of embarrassed because the new bf was in the room (my brother and I mock her way too much, poor thing, so she thought we were mocking her yet again). Then she tried to backtrack her comment. 'I know they probably still exist, but what happened to them? I even hear about that other Manchester team (she couldn't remember City's name) but since I've been to England the last time I didn't hear anything about them' Of course my brother and I laughed even harder, while she was completely embarrassed because of Diego and left the room. We didn't know if we laughed more about Arsenal or the other Manchester team - because mind you my mother played football so she sort of understands quite well about the sport and in all her trips to UK she knows which shirt to buy to me, my brother (MUtd) and my cousin (Liverpool), but she couldn't remind City's name hahahaha My stomach hurt from laughing... and then we remembered they didn't win even their own trophy earlier the day and we just couldn't stop laughing.

fixed it for you thanks for that and the translation, mate Cheers

brilliant doesn't even start to cover, Lex. Are there older ones? I want to read all of them if they already exist.

Well thank you I also find it weird when a man doesn't like football, but I've known this guy for 27 years, so I decided to take the risk I'm the author of the saying: 'if a man doesn't like football, be careful because something is seriously wrong with him'. It's like @killer1257 said. In Brazil is quite rare finding the man that doesn't like football, so I'm super suspicious when I meet one of them...

boyfriends come and go, football stays forever Also, it's not my problem he doesn't like football. There must be something wrong with him! And I only asked him to reschedule the date from a Sunday night to a Monday night, so it's all good... at least for me

@, you're perfect, love. You flourished it perfectly. Thanks a lot